At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to enhance building safety across London and provide expert advice on external wall systems.
- Company: London Fire Brigade, a leading firefighting and rescue service dedicated to community safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, hybrid working, gym access, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and diverse environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in building safety while collaborating with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Experience in building construction or fire safety is essential; relevant qualifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 54452 - 58202 £ per year.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is London’s fire and rescue service – one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world. We are here to make London a safer city. Employing over 5000 people across our operational team, control, fire safety and our non-operational team, we are seeking two highly skilled External Wall Specialists to join our Remediation Support Team and play a key role in making London's buildings safer.
Based at Brigade Headquarters, Union Street, with work across London, you will provide specialist technical advice on external wall construction, remediation strategies, and fire safety compliance. Working closely with fire engineers, remediation officers, local authorities, and industry partners, you will help identify and prioritise high-risk buildings, evaluate PAS 9980 assessments, and support enforcement activity through the provision of technical evidence.
The successful candidate will have proven experience in building construction, façade engineering, fire safety inspection, or remediation projects involving high-rise buildings. You'll possess strong knowledge of UK Building Regulations, external wall systems, cladding materials, and fire safety legislation, together with excellent analytical and communication skills.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence building safety across London, working within a collaborative team committed to protecting communities and supporting safer homes for residents. If you are passionate about improving building safety standards and driving positive change, we would welcome your application.
Eligibility
- Significant experience in building construction, façade engineering, fire safety, building control, remediation, or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrable experience of assessing, inspecting, advising on, or managing external wall systems, cladding, façade construction, or building remediation projects.
- Sound knowledge of external wall construction methods, cladding systems, insulation products, cavity barriers, and associated fire safety considerations.
- Good understanding of current building safety legislation, regulations and guidance, including the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act 2021, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Approved Document B, PAS 9980 and relevant British Standards.
- Experience of reviewing technical information and providing evidence-based recommendations, reports or advice to support decision-making.
- Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including building owners, managing agents, local authorities, fire and rescue services, contractors and residents.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex building safety issues and identify proportionate remediation solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical matters to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications and other relevant technical software used within building safety, construction or fire engineering environments.
Qualifications
- A degree, HNC, HND, or equivalent qualification in Building Surveying, Fire Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Building Control, Façade Engineering, or a related discipline; or significant relevant professional experience in external wall systems, building safety, remediation, fire safety, construction, or building control.
Desirable Criteria
- Membership of a relevant professional body such as the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Society of Façade Engineering (SFE), Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), or equivalent.
- Experience of undertaking or reviewing PAS 9980 assessments and external wall fire risk appraisals.
- Experience of working on high-rise residential buildings or complex mixed-use developments.
- Knowledge of government-led remediation programmes and building safety funding schemes.
- Experience of supporting enforcement, regulatory, investigation, or compliance activities.
- Chartered status or working towards chartership in a relevant discipline.
Additional Requirements
- The successful candidate will be required to satisfy the London Fire Commissioner's pre-employment screening requirements, including a Standard DBS check.
- Applicants must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.
- The role requires occasional travel across London to undertake inspections, attend meetings and engage with stakeholders.
- Occasional attendance outside normal working hours may be required to meet operational and business needs.
Benefits of working for the London Fire Brigade
- 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
- Additional leave between Christmas Day and New Year
- Family (including maternity) leave and emergency support leave
- Hybrid working is available, subject to business need.
- Free access to the Brigade gym
- Use of the Brigade’s Medical Adviser/physios/fitness advisers
- Free counselling
- Season ticket loan
- Join social networks including our Equality Support Groups
- Contributory pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff discount scheme including access to Blue Light Card retail and hospitality discounts
- Opportunity to access affordable accommodation
Criminal records check: In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a Standard criminal records check. Successful candidates will be required to declare any convictions for offences and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory.
External Wall Specialist in London employer: London Fire Brigade
London Fire Brigade is an outstanding employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation in the face of national challenges. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and the chance to make a significant impact on public safety and resilience across the UK. Working in London, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to enhancing community preparedness and response capabilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land External Wall Specialist in London
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like London Fire Brigade, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like External Wall Specialist at London Fire Brigade.
We think you need these skills to ace External Wall Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Fire Brigade
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!